New look for Chevy’s Raptor rival

Tough looks and trail-ready features could give the Ford Ranger Raptor a run for its money, but there’s a catch to this alternative machine.

Chevrolet’s updated Silverado has a new “flow-tie” intake in the badge.

General Motors’ Australian arm has raided the Chevrolet war chest in preparation for battle with Ford’s new Ranger Raptor.

The blue oval’s best-seller is due to deliver updated looks, tech and a high-performance engine to thousands of dual-cab fans.

The new Silverado (left) alongside last year’s model.

So General Motors Special Vehicles is fighting back with a beefed-up version of the Chevrolet Silverado ute.

As before, the Silverado is powered by a 6.2-litre V8 with strong 313kW and 624Nm outputs – though final tech specs for the truck will be confirmed closer to its arrival in showrooms in the second quarter of 2023.

Chevrolet’s Silverado has a new look.

It has the same 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system as before.

The interior benefits from a new 13.4-inch touchscreen that replaces an 8-inch display in the outgoing model.

Customers get a new widescreen display.

A 12.3-inch digital dash is also nice to have, joining a subtly reworked front end.

The American-sourced Silverado is a size larger than diesel dual-cabs such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

It’s also more expensive, partly because the Silverado must be converted from left-hand-drive to right-hand-drive on arrival in Australia.

A butch-looking bonnet and red tow hooks are part of the ZR2 package.

GMSV replaced the outgoing LT Trail Boss in favour of an adventure-focused Silverado 1500 ZR2 model priced $17,000 upstream at $124,000 plus on-road costs.

The ZR2 is loaded with dear including electronically locking front and rear differentials, shock absorbers from Multimatic, 18-inch wheels with 33-inch mud terrain tyres, and a dedicated bash plate.

The updated Chevrolet Silverado arrives in 2023.

Customers with an eye for comfort can pick the Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium.

The luxury-minded model benefits from 20-inch wheels, a 15-inch head-up display and sophisticated camera array with a choice of 14 views to make towing easier.

Both models feature modern safety aids such as automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance.